TDOT HELP Trucks Heading to Bristol on April 18-19

Thursday, April 16, 2015 | 04:14am

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation will be sending special “HELP” to the Tri-Cities this weekend to assist with the heavy traffic expected in conjunction with NASCAR events at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.

Four lime-yellow HELP trucks from Knoxville will patrol the area on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day. They will assist with any incidents that may occur in an effort to keep traffic moving. The trucks are four-wheel drive and equipped with push bumpers, top-mounted arrow boards, emergency work lights, air compressors, and other tools. Operators can perform a variety of functions from clearing a stalled car off the roadway to changing a flat tire.

Knoxville’s HELP truck operators respond to approximately 25,000 incidents per year. In addition to Knoxville, TDOT has HELP truck programs in Chattanooga, Nashville and Memphis.

Other traffic control measures being taken by TDOT on April 18 and 19 include:

• TDOT maintenance units will be posted throughout the region to assist with any other issues that may arise for motorists.

• TDOT will suspend lane closures on construction projects that affect race traffic in East Tennessee from Saturday, April 18 until Monday, April 20.

From your desktop or mobile device, get the latest construction activity and live streaming SmartWay traffic cameras at www.TNSmartWay.com/Traffic. Travelers can also dial 511 from any land-line or cellular phone for travel information, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TN511 for statewide travel.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.